More than half of Keighley's schools decided not to open yesterday after snow fell through the night.

Teachers managed to reach some other schools to ensure children were able to attend lessons as snowfall continued.

Greenhead High School recorded almost full attendance from students, with only a handful of teachers being forced to arrive late.

Andrew Burton, deputy head at Greenhead, Utley, yesterday said snow had caused the school to close for just 45 minutes during last winter.

He said: "We try not to close.

"Today we had one or two staff late. Attendance is slightly down, but basically good.

"As long as there are no blizzards we will stay open until finishing time."

Hothfield School, in Silsden, operated a skeleton staff for parents who could not stay at home to look after their children.

A spokesman said some staff had managed to struggle in, and by mid-morning only a very small number of children remained in the school.

Oakbank and Cullingworth's Parkside upper schools told students to stay away, while Holy Family School was running as normal with reduced attendance.

South Craven School, which has many pupils living in rural areas, was open but was waiting for advice from bus companies on whether to close early.

Haworth Primary School was among local schools that closed on Wednesday as well as Thursday.

Among other schools closed yesterday were Long Lee, Laycock, Wilsden, Riddlesden, Oldfield, Stanbury, Nessfield, Oxenhope and Denholme primaries.

Also closed were Eastwood, Holycroft, St Andrew's, Guard House and Ingrow primary schools, all in Keighley, as well as Braithwaite and Branshaw special schools.